Author: sparta

Receive Up to $400 Discount on Last Year’s Motorola Edge at Best Buy’s Outlet Sale

The Motorola Edge 2024 might not be flawless, but it is quite appealing at just $150.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

If you are searching for an incredibly affordable phone deal, you might have arrived at the right spot, as Best Buy is providing up to $400 off last year’s Motorola Edge as part of an outlet and clearance event running until this weekend. Although the 2024 Edge won’t deliver top-tier performance, it will suffice for the majority of casual users. Moreover, at $150 when activated by Best Buy (or $250 for self-activation), it appears more competitive even for a 2024 model.

The 2024 Motorola Edge still features the premium-feeling, anti-slip vegan leather back, a very pleasing pOLED display that is gentle on the eyes, and the intuitive Hello UI that customers appreciate. It comes with 256GB

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Galaxy S23 FE Launches Significant One UI 8 Upgrade with Improved Lock Screen Personalization and Extra Capabilities

US users are first to receive the new software update.

Samsung has initiated the rollout of its newest One UI 8 update to Galaxy S23 FE users in the United States. This update offers a range of new features and improvements, aimed at enhancing user experience and device security.

Key Features of One UI 8 Update:

1. **Enhanced User Interface**: The update brings new lock screen customization options, enabling users to alter the clock design to correspond with their wallpaper. Users can modify the font’s thickness, size, and color, ensuring perfect harmony with the lock screen image.

2. **Proactive Tips and AI Features**: One UI 8 utilizes AI to deliver personalized recommendations, simplify tasks, and foster creativity. Features such as Drawing Assist and Writing Assist aid users in generating new ideas and improving their work.

3. **Security Enhancements**: The update incorporates Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP) for safe app-specific AI storage and the Personal Data Engine (PDE) for increased security. Knox Matrix further fortifies device security by logging users out of high-risk devices and offering data protection guidance.

4. **Improved Core Apps**: Numerous Samsung core apps, including Samsung Health, Reminders, Routines, Internet, Calendar, and Contacts, receive updates for an enhanced user experience.

5. **Now Bar**: This feature showcases real-time app activity and media player progress directly on the lock screen, granting users quick access to vital information.

The update is available for carrier-locked Galaxy S23 FE devices on select networks in the US. Users can check for the update by going to Settings > Software update > Download and install. The update is about 3GB in size and comes with firmware version S711USQU6EYIF.

With this update, Samsung continues to improve the functionality and security of its devices, ensuring users have access to the latest features and enhancements. Galaxy S23 FE owners can anticipate more updates in the future, as Samsung stays dedicated to providing ongoing support for its devices.

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Meta Employs Apple’s Recently Assigned Leader for AI Search Initiative

Meta has maintained its pattern of enticing elite talent from Apple’s AI sector, with the recent onboarding of Ke Yang, who previously was assigned to spearhead Apple’s new AI search initiative aimed at improving Siri’s functions. This development is part of a wider trend of significant exits from Apple, as the firm contends with rising competition in the AI domain.

Recently, numerous prominent members of Apple’s machine learning division have departed for competitor firms, such as Anthropic and OpenAI, with Meta notably benefiting from this outflow of talent. Key exits include Jian Zhang, Apple’s past Lead AI Researcher for Robotics, Ruoming Pang, who managed the foundation models team, and Frank Chu, who directed cloud infrastructure and search for Apple AI.

Yang’s latest appointment to lead the Answers, Knowledge, and Information (AKI) team was regarded as a tactical decision for Apple, as the team was charged with crafting features to enhance Siri’s competitiveness against AI models like ChatGPT. The AKI team was created to develop a new search experience that would utilize web information, aiming to improve Siri’s capabilities.

Nonetheless, Yang’s move to Meta brings up uncertainties regarding the future leadership of the AKI team. He took charge of the group after the departure of Robby Walker, who was previously overseeing the Siri overhaul. With Yang’s exit, it remains unclear who will succeed him, particularly as John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president of AI, has experienced a reduction in his influence due to hurdles in deploying new AI features.

As Apple navigates this talent exodus and strives to strengthen its AI efforts, competition in the technology sector continues to escalate, with Meta positioning itself as a significant contender in the AI arena.

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Sonos Improves Trueplay Functionality to Accommodate iPhone 17 Series

**Sonos Enhances Trueplay Feature with iPhone 17 Compatibility**

Sonos has recently upgraded its Trueplay feature, which now includes support for the iPhone 17, allowing users to improve the sound quality of select speakers. This enhancement is important for both audiophiles and casual listeners, as it facilitates the adjustment of audio performance based on specific room acoustics.

### What is Trueplay?

Trueplay is a distinctive feature found on Sonos speakers, such as the Sonos Arc Ultra, Era 100, and Era 300. It provides two tuning modes: quick tuning and advanced tuning. Quick tuning uses the built-in microphone of the speakers to modify sound according to how it bounces off different surfaces in a room. Conversely, advanced tuning leverages the microphone of the iPhone for even more accurate adjustments.

Sonos characterizes Trueplay as a technology that assesses how sound interacts with walls, furnishings, and other surfaces, ensuring that the speaker delivers optimal sound quality irrespective of its position in the room.

### Swift Adoption of iPhone 17 Compatibility

Traditionally, Sonos has been slow to implement Trueplay support for new iPhone models soon after their debut. However, the company has provided a quick update this time, with Trueplay compatibility for the iPhone 17 becoming available less than a month post-launch. This quick action has been positively acknowledged by users, with one Reddit user expressing gratitude for the prompt update, recalling prior delays that lasted into the holiday period.

### Availability and Deployment

Although the feature is reported to be accessible, it has not been extensively highlighted in recent release notes, suggesting that the rollout might still be underway. Users who do not see the feature right away should anticipate its availability soon.

### Conclusion

The enhancement of Sonos’ Trueplay feature to accommodate the iPhone 17 represents a notable advancement in user experience, providing improved audio calibration functionalities. As Sonos continues to evolve and meet user demands, the integration of cutting-edge technology into their products remains a vital priority.

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